Expect clarity on rushed behind rule

The controversial deliberate rushed behind rule is expected to have more clarity in season 2017, according AFL umpire Ray Chamberlain.

In 2016 the rule caused much debate due to its grey area regarding pressure on the ball carrier, distance from goal line and whether there was another reasonable option for the player to take before rushing a behind.

Confusion was magnified this season when a ‘memo’ was sent to clubs outlining the rule. It was then seen to be a crackdown given there were two decisions paid in the following round.

Justin Leppitsch was one coach who said he didn’t get the memo.

Chamberlain told 3AW’s Sports Today that he expects discussions to take place between the clubs and the league to help improve the ‘look, smell, taste and feel’ of each decision regarding a rushed behind.

‘I just think it needs to evolve, when it first came in it served its purpose,’ said Chamberlain.

‘I think now the game’s changed a little bit. I think the game and the players, the coaches and the fans, and us probably deserve a little bit more head space around it.

‘The only way to get the right result is to collaborate with the clubs.’

Chamberlain is currently riding from Canberra to Melbourne to help raise funds for suicide prevention through GriefLine.